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Basic wiring and description of related wire color codes
Whilst locomotive manufacturers may not always follow correct color codes they do generally comply with
the standards covering the use of “DCC ready” decoder sockets within locomotives, all LaisDcc decoder
harnesses and connectors do meet standards, so you can approach their installation with confidence.
This illustration shows the correct connection structure for an NMRA compatible 8 pin plug when it is viewed
from the top (wire side) of the decoder plug, and therefore also represents the socket viewed from the top.
To make it easier for you to correctly insert the plug first time, manufacturers will usually mark the #1 or
Orange pin with an asterisk, a star or the number 1. Look carefully... it’s not always obvious!
Accidentally inserting the plug wrong way round will not harm the locomotive or decoder, however the loco
will run backwards when the control system indicates forwards and lighting will not work correctly.
If this happens simply remove carefully, rotate it 180 degrees and re-insert.
Where we mention left or right side of the loco, it is relative to the view from the loco drivers cab.
Pin 1
- Orange:
Motor wire, usually the top or right brush.
Pin 2
- Yellow:
Rear light function (also known as function 2). Default setting, operate with “light”
button
Pin 3
- Green:
Function 3 (also known as Aux 1). Default setting, operate with Function1 button
Pin 4
- Black:
To track/Loco pickups. By convention usually the left side of the loco
Pin 5
- Gray:
Motor wire, usually the lower or left brush
Pin 6
- White:
Front light function (also known as function 1). Default setting, operate with “light”
button
Pin 7
- Blue:
Common positive wire for all active functions.
Pin 8
- Red:
To track/Loco pickups. By convention usually the right side of the loco
4 Function decoders also have a purple wire which is not attached to the connector. This is used for
activating a 4th
active function and should also be paired with the blue wire to complete a circuit. Default
settings have this function operated with Function 2 button. If you do not use this wire, insulate it.
If your locomotive does not have a socket, do not worry. simply follow the above wiring guide and hard-wire
the decoder to your locomotive. Make sure that any joins in the wire are protected with heat shrink that will
prevent short circuits that damage decoders. When hard-wiring a decoder it is best to trim all wires to the
correct lengths, work tidily and take your time!
We do not recommend adding sockets to locomotives that do not have them as it is unnecessary – our
decoders already have a socket at the decoder. Besides, hard wiring a non DCC-ready locomotive takes less
space and it is simply far easier to simply hard wire a decoder!
The general recommendation is the removal of all capacitors and suppression parts from all
locomotives prior to installing your decoder. This will ensure the best quality running without
exception. As the decoder already has a far greater suppression effect than the original suppression
parts, removing them will not increase the radiation of radio interference from your locomotives
under any circumstances.